Analysis of successive endocytic compartments isolated from Dictyostelium discoideum by magnetic fractionation

Lipid composition of multilamellar bodies secreted by Dictyostelium discoideum reveals their amoebal origin

When they are fed with bacteria, Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae produce and secrete multilamellar bodies (MLBs), which are composed of membranous material. It has been proposed that MLBs are a waste disposal system that allows D. discoideum to eliminate undigested bacterial remains. However, the real function of MLBs remains unknown. Determination of the biochemical composition of MLBs, especially lipids, represents a way to gain information about the role of these structures. To allow these analyses, a protocol involving various centrifugation procedures has been developed to purify secreted MLBs from amoeba-bacterium cocultures. The purity of the MLB preparation was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and by immunofluorescence using H36, an antibody that binds to MLBs. The lipid and fatty acid compositions of pure MLBs were then analyzed by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and gas chromatography (GC), respectively, and compared to those of amoebae as well as bacteria used as a food source. While the bacteria were devoid of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylinositol (PI), these two polar lipid species were major classes of lipids in MLBs and amoebae. Similarly, the fatty acid composition of MLBs and amoebae was characterized by the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids, while cyclic fatty acids were found only in bacteria. These results strongly suggest that the lipids constituting the MLBs originate from the amoebal metabolism rather than from undigested bacterial membranes. This opens the possibility that MLBs, instead of being a waste disposal system, have unsuspected roles in D. discoideum physiology.

Retrieval of the vacuolar H-ATPase from phagosomes revealed by live cell imaging

BACKGROUND

The vacuolar H+-ATPase, or V-ATPase, is a highly-conserved multi-subunit enzyme that transports protons across membranes at the expense of ATP. The resulting proton gradient serves many essential functions, among them energizing transport of small molecules such as neurotransmitters, and acidifying organelles such as endosomes. The enzyme is not present in the plasma membrane from which a phagosome is formed, but is rapidly delivered by fusion with endosomes that already bear the V-ATPase in their membranes. Similarly, the enzyme is thought to be retrieved from phagosome membranes prior to exocytosis of indigestible material, although that process has not been directly visualized.

METHODOLOGY

To monitor trafficking of the V-ATPase in the phagocytic pathway of Dictyostelium discoideum, we fed the cells yeast, large particles that maintain their shape during trafficking. To track pH changes, we conjugated the yeast with fluorescein isothiocyanate. Cells were labeled with VatM-GFP, a fluorescently-tagged transmembrane subunit of the V-ATPase, in parallel with stage-specific endosomal markers or in combination with mRFP-tagged cytoskeletal proteins.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

We find that the V-ATPase is commonly retrieved from the phagosome membrane by vesiculation shortly before exocytosis. However, if the cells are kept in confined spaces, a bulky phagosome may be exocytosed prematurely. In this event, a large V-ATPase-rich vacuole coated with actin typically separates from the acidic phagosome shortly before exocytosis. This vacuole is propelled by an actin tail and soon acquires the properties of an early endosome, revealing an unexpected mechanism for rapid recycling of the V-ATPase. Any V-ATPase that reaches the plasma membrane is also promptly retrieved.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

Thus, live cell microscopy has revealed both a usual route and alternative means of recycling the V-ATPase in the endocytic pathway.

The BEACH Protein LvsB Is Localized on Lysosomes and Postlysosomes and Limits Their Fusion with Early Endosomes

The Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) is a genetic disorder caused by the loss of the BEACH protein Lyst. Impaired lysosomal function in CHS patients results in many physiological problems, including immunodeficiency, albinism and neurological problems. Dictyostelium LvsB is the ortholog of mammalian Lyst and is also important for lysosomal function. A knock-in approach was used to tag LvsB with green fluorescent protein (GFP) and express it from its single chromosomal locus. GFP-LvsB was observed on late lysosomes and postlysosomes. Loss of LvsB resulted in enlarged postlysosomes, in the abnormal localization of proton pumps on postlysosomes and their abnormal acidification. The abnormal postlysosomes in LvsB-null cells were produced by the inappropriate fusion of early endosomal compartments with postlysosomal compartments. The intermixing of compartments resulted in a delayed transit of fluid-phase marker through the endolysosomal system. These results support the model that LvsB and Lyst proteins act as negative regulators of fusion by limiting the heterotypic fusion of early endosomes with postlysosomal compartments.

Dynamic life and death interactions between Mycobacterium smegmatis and J774 macrophages

After internalization into macrophages non-pathogenic mycobacteria are killed within phagosomes. Pathogenic mycobacteria can block phagosome maturation and grow inside phagosomes but under some conditions can also be killed by macrophages. Killing mechanisms are poorly understood, although phago-lysosome fusion and nitric oxide (NO) production are implicated. We initiated a systematic analysis addressing how macrophages kill 'non-pathogenic'Mycobacterium smegmatis. This system was dynamic, involving periods of initial killing, then bacterial multiplication, followed by two additional killing stages. NO synthesis represented the earliest killing factor but its synthesis stopped during the first killing period. Phagosome actin assembly and fusion with late endocytic organelles coincided with the first and last killing phase, while recycling of phagosome content and membrane coincided with bacterial growth. Phagosome acidification and acquisition of the vacuolar (V) ATPase followed a different pattern coincident with later killing phases. Moreover, V-ATPase localized to vesicles distinct from classical late endosomes and lysosomes. Map kinase p38 is a crucial regulator of all processes investigated, except NO synthesis, that facilitated the host for some functions while being usurped by live bacteria for others. A mathematical model argues that periodic high and low cellular killing activity is more effective than is a continuous process.

Flotillin-1 defines a clathrin-independent endocytic pathway in mammalian cells

Previous studies provide evidence for an endocytic mechanism in mammalian cells that is distinct from both clathrin-coated pits and caveolae, and is not inhibited by overexpression of GTPase-null dynamin mutants. This mechanism, however, has been defined largely in these negative terms. We applied a ferro-fluid-based purification of endosomes to identify endosomal proteins. One of the proteins identified in this way was flotillin-1 (also called reggie-2). Here, we show that flotillin-1 resides in punctate structures within the plasma membrane and in a specific population of endocytic intermediates. These intermediates accumulate both glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked proteins and cholera toxin B subunit. Endocytosis in flotillin-1-containing intermediates is clathrin-independent. Total internal reflection microscopy and immuno-electron microscopy revealed that flotillin-1-containing regions of the plasma membrane seem to bud into the cell, and are distinct from clathrin-coated pits and caveolin-1-positive caveolae. Flotillin-1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibited both clathrin-independent uptake of cholera toxin and endocytosis of a GPI-linked protein. We propose that flotillin-1 is one determinant of a clathrin-independent endocytic pathway in mammalian cells.

A Dictyostelium long chain fatty acyl coenzyme A-synthetase mediates fatty acid retrieval from endosomes

We have identified a subset of Dictyostelium endosomes that carry a long chain fatty acyl coenzyme A-synthetase (LC-FACS 1) on their cytosolic surface. Immunofluorescence studies and observations using GFP-fusion proteins collectively suggest that LC-FACS 1 associates with endosomes a few minutes after their formation, remains bound through the acidic phase of endocytic maturation and dissociates early in the phase where the endosomal content is neutralised prior to exocytosis. Mutants in the fcsA gene, encoding the LC-FACS 1 protein, were constructed by homologous recombination. These cells show a strong defect in the intracellular accumulation of fatty acids, either taken up together with the liquid medium or bound to the surface of particles. Because the mutant cells are otherwise fully competent for macropinocytosis and phagocytosis, we conclude that the LC-FACS 1 protein mediates the retrieval of fatty acids from the lumen of endosomes into the cytoplasm.

Conserved features of endocytosis in Dictyostelium

Endocytosis in protozoa is often regarded as largely different from the pathways operating in mammalian cells. Experiments in the amoeba Dictyostelium, one of the genetically tractable single-celled organisms, have allowed us to manipulate the flow through endocytic compartments and to study the dynamic distribution of molecules by means of green fluorescent protein fusions. This review attempts to compile the molecular data available from Dictyostelium and assign them to specific steps of internalization by phagocytosis or macropinocytosis and to subsequent stages of the endocytic pathway. Parallels to phagocytes of the mammalian immune system are emphasized. The major distinctive feature between mammalian phagocytes and free-living cells is the need for osmoregulation. Therefore Dictyostelium cells possess a contractile vacuole that has occasionally obscured analysis of endocytosis but is now found to be entirely separate from endocytic organelles. In conclusion, the potential of Dictyostelium amoebas to provide a model system of mammalian phagocytes is ever increasing.

Fusion and fission events in the endocytic pathway of Dictyostelium

The endocytic pathway in Dictyostelium appears as a short circuit between endocytosis and exocytosis. Within the hour that elapses between internalization of nutrients and release of remnants, digestion by lysosomal enzymes occurs. Meanwhile, the maturing endosome undergoes a complex series of fusion and fission events, which change its character profoundly and which are far from being fully understood. This review attempts to order the dynamic events into a sequence of stages that is most consistent with present knowledge.

Endosome fusion and microtubule-based dynamics in the early endocytic pathway of dictyostelium

Dictyostelium amoebae, like mammalian macrophages, take up fluid by macropinocytosis. The present study used fluorescent fluid-phase markers and GFP-labeled microtubules to visualize the uptake, dynamics, and fusion of early endosomes in Dictyostelium. Consecutive labeling with two fluorescent fluid-phase markers demonstrated that within the first few minutes after uptake, new macropinosomes underwent fusion with pre-existing endosomes. The fusing endosomes, which represent the mixing compartment, displayed extreme shape changes and rapid transport about the cell in association with microtubules. The great plasticity of endosomes at this stage of maturation was also evident by electron microscopy. The constant undulatory motion of microtubules was implemental in establishing contact with endosomes. Treatment of cells with agents that selectively disrupted either actin filaments or microtubules confirmed that endosome dynamics were microtubule based. Further maturation of endosomes led to loss of pleiomorphy in favor of a spherical shape, inability to fuse with new macropinosomes, and diminished motility.

The transcytosis of divalent metal transporter 1 and apo-transferrin during iron uptake in intestinal epithelium

Caco-2 cells grown in bicameral chambers are a model system to study intestinal iron absorption. Caco-2 cells exhibit constitutive transport of iron from the apical (luminal) chamber to the basal (serosal) chamber that is enhanced by apo-transferrin in the basal chamber, with the apo-transferrin undergoing endocytosis to the apical portion of the cell. With the addition of iron to the apical surface, divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) on the brush-border membrane (BBM) undergoes endocytosis. These findings suggest that in Caco-2 cells DMT1 and apo-transferrin may cooperate in iron transport through transcytosis. To prove this hypothesis, we determined by confocal microscopy that, after addition of iron to the apical chamber, DMT1 from the BBM and Texas red apo-transferrin from the basal chamber colocalized in a perinuclear compartment. Colocalization was also observed by isolating endosomes from Caco-2 cells after ingestion of ultra-small paramagnetic particles from either the basal or apical chamber. The isolated endosomes contained both transferrin and DMT1 independent of the chamber from which the paramagnetic particles were endocytosed. These findings suggest that iron transport across intestinal epithelia may be mediated by transcytosis.

Dynamics of the vacuolar H+-ATPase in the contractile vacuole complex and the endosomal pathway ofDictyosteliumcells

The vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) is a multi-subunit enzyme that plays important roles in eukaryotic cells. In Dictyostelium, it is found primarily in membranes of the contractile vacuole complex, where it energizes fluid accumulation by this osmoregulatory organelle and also in membranes of endolysosomes, where it serves to acidify the endosomal lumen. In the present study, a fusion was created between vatM, the gene encoding the 100 kDa transmembrane subunit of the V-ATPase, and the gene encoding Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). When expressed in Dictyostelium cells, this fusion protein, VatM-GFP, was correctly targeted to contractile vacuole and endolysosomal membranes and was competent to direct assembly of the V-ATPase enzyme complex. Protease treatment of isolated endosomes indicated that the GFP moiety, located on the C-terminus of VatM, was exposed to the cytoplasmic side of the endosomal membrane rather than to the lumenal side. VatM-GFP labeling of the contractile vacuole complex revealed clearly the dynamics of this pleiomorphic vesiculotubular organelle. VatM-GFP labeling of endosomes allowed direct visualization of the trafficking of vacuolar proton pumps in this pathway, which appeared to be entirely independent from the contractile vacuole membrane system. In cells whose endosomes were pre-labeled with TRITC-dextran and then fed yeast particles,VatM-GFP was delivered to newly formed yeast phagosomes with the same time course as TRITC-dextran, consistent with transfer via a direct fusion of endosomes with phagosomes. Several minutes were required before the intensity of the VatM-GFP labeling of new phagosomes reached the level observed in older phagosomes, suggesting that this fusion process was progressive and continuous. VatM-GFP was retrieved from the phagosome membrane prior to exocytosis of the indigestible remnants of the yeast particle. These data suggest that vacuolar proton pumps are recycled by fusion of advanced with newly formed endosomes.

Morphology and dynamics of the endocytic pathway in Dictyostelium discoideum

Dictyostelium discoideum is a genetically and biochemically tractable social amoeba belonging to the crown group of eukaryotes. It performs some of the tasks characteristic of a leukocyte such as chemotactic motility, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis that are not performed by other model organisms or are difficult to study. D. discoideum is becoming a popular system to study molecular mechanisms of endocytosis, but the morphological characterization of the organelles along this pathway and the comparison with equivalent and/or different organelles in animal cells and yeasts were lagging. Herein, we used a combination of evanescent wave microscopy and electron microscopy of rapidly frozen samples to visualize primary endocytic vesicles, vesicular-tubular structures of the early and late endo-lysosomal system, such as multivesicular bodies, and the specialized secretory lysosomes. In addition, we present biochemical and morphological evidence for the existence of a micropinocytic pathway, which contributes to the uptake of membrane along side macropinocytosis, which is the major fluid phase uptake process. This complex endosomal compartment underwent continuous cycles of tubulation/vesiculation as well as homo- and heterotypic fusions, in a way reminiscent of mechanisms and structures documented in leukocytes. Finally, egestion of fluid phase from the secretory lysosomes was directly observed.

Fluid-phase uptake and transit in axenic Dictyostelium cells

The main route for fluid-phase uptake in Dictyostelium is macropinocytosis, a process powered by the actin cytoskeleton. Nutrients within the endocytosed fluid are digested and resorbed, disposal of remnants follows by exocytosis. Along the endocytic pathway, membrane fusion and fission events take place at multiple steps. The regulator and effector molecules involved in uptake and transit are largely conserved between higher and lower eukaryotes. This feature, together with its accessibility by molecular genetics, recommend Dictyostelium as a valuable model system for mammalian cells.

Role of esterase gp70 and its influence on growth and development of Dictyostelium discoideum

Gp70 is an esterase originally called crystal protein because of its presence in crystalline structures in aggregation-competent Dictyostelium discoideum cells. Although postulated to break down spore coats, the function of gp70 in vivo was incompletely investigated. Our immunolocalization and biochemical studies of vegetative D. discoideum amoebae show that gp70 was recruited to phagosomes and found in lysosomes. Purified gp70 was effective at hydrolyzing naphthyl substrates with acyl chains typical of lipids and lipopolysaccharides, indicating that the gp70 was involved in digesting endocytosed molecules. The activity of purified gp70 was inhibited by reductants that retarded its electrophoretic mobility and verified the presence of intramolecular disulfide bonds predicted by its amino acid sequence. Compared to wild-type cells, cells overexpressing gp70 were more phagocytically active, had shorter generation times, and produced more fruiting bodies per unit area, while cells lacking gp70 were phagocytically less active with longer doubling times, developed more slowly, and had significantly fewer fruiting bodies per unit area. Consistent with the phenotype of a disrupted metabolism, one-third of the gp70-minus cells were large and multinucleated. Together, these results indicated that despite its crystalline appearance, gp70 was an active esterase involved in both the growth and the development of D. discoideum.

A syntaxin 7 homologue is present in Dictyostelium discoideum endosomes and controls their homotypic fusion

Endo-phagocytic activity is prominent in Dictyostelium discoideum and makes it a good model organism to study the molecular organization of membrane traffic in this pathway. We have identified a syntaxin 7 homologue (26% identity and 54% similarity to human syntaxin 7) in Dictyostelium cDNA and genomic data banks. In addition to the Habc and H3 helices and the C-terminal transmembrane domain characteristic of syntaxins, this protein contains a repetitive N-terminal extension of 68 amino acids. We first showed that Dictyostelium syntaxin 7 was able to form a complex with N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein and alpha- and gamma-soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein attachment protein. Its intracellular localization was then studied by cell fractionation techniques and magnetic purification of the endocytic compartments. Most of D. discoideum syntaxin 7 is contained in endosomes. Finally, an in vitro endosome homotypic fusion assay (Laurent, O., Bruckert, F., Adessi, C., and Satre, M. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 793-799) was used to study a possible role for syntaxin 7 in this process. Purified anti-syntaxin 7 antibodies and a recombinant soluble fragment of syntaxin 7 both strongly inhibited fusion activity, indicating that this protein was necessary for endosome-endosome fusion. These results demonstrate the importance of this syntaxin 7 homologue in the early phases of Dictyostelium endo-phagocytic pathway.

A myosin I is involved in membrane recycling from early endosomes

Geometry-based mechanisms have been proposed to account for the sorting of membranes and fluid phase in the endocytic pathway, yet little is known about the involvement of the actin-myosin cytoskeleton. Here, we demonstrate that Dictyostelium discoideum myosin IB functions in the recycling of plasma membrane components from endosomes back to the cell surface. Cells lacking MyoB (myoA(-)/B(-), and myoB(-) cells) and wild-type cells treated with the myosin inhibitor butanedione monoxime accumulated a plasma membrane marker and biotinylated surface proteins on intracellular endocytic vacuoles. An assay based on reversible biotinylation of plasma membrane proteins demonstrated that recycling of membrane components is severely impaired in myoA/B null cells. In addition, MyoB was specifically found on magnetically purified early pinosomes. Using a rapid-freezing cryoelectron microscopy method, we observed an increased number of small vesicles tethered to relatively early endocytic vacuoles in myoA(-)/B(-) cells, but not to later endosomes and lysosomes. This accumulation of vesicles suggests that the defects in membrane recycling result from a disordered morphology of the sorting compartment.

A protein containing a serine-rich domain with vesicle fusing properties mediates cell cycle-dependent cytosolic pH regulation

Initial differentiation in Dictyostelium involves both asymmetric cell division and a cell cycle-dependent mechanism. We previously identified a gene, rtoA, which when disrupted randomizes the cell cycle-dependent mechanism without affecting either the underlying cell cycle or asymmetric differentiation. We find that in wild-type cells, RtoA levels vary during the cell cycle. Cytosolic pH, which normally varies with the cell cycle, is randomized in rtoA cells. The middle 60% of the RtoA protein is 10 tandem repeats of an 11 peptide-long serine-rich motif, which we find has a random coil structure. This domain catalyzes the fusion of phospholipid vesicles in vitro. Conversely, rtoA cells have a defect in the fusion of endocytic vesicles. They also have a decreased exocytosis rate, a decreased pH of endocytic/exocytic vesicles, and an increased average cytosolic pH. Our data indicate that the serine-rich domain of RtoA can mediate membrane fusion and that RtoA can increase the rate of vesicle fusion during processing of endoctyic vesicles. We hypothesize that RtoA modulates initial cell type choice by linking vegetative cell physiology to the cell cycle.

Inactivation of lmpA, encoding a LIMPII-related endosomal protein, suppresses the internalization and endosomal trafficking defects in profilin-null mutants

Profilin is a key phosphoinositide and actin-binding protein connecting and coordinating changes in signal transduction pathways with alterations in the actin cytoskeleton. Using biochemical assays and microscopic approaches, we demonstrate that profilin-null cells are defective in macropinocytosis, fluid phase efflux, and secretion of lysosomal enzymes but are unexpectedly more efficient in phagocytosis than wild-type cells. Disruption of the lmpA gene encoding a protein (DdLIMP) belonging to the CD36/LIMPII family suppressed, to different degrees, most of the profilin-minus defects, including the increase in F-actin, but did not rescue the secretion defect. Immunofluorescence microscopy indicated that DdLIMP, which is also capable of binding phosphoinositides, was associated with macropinosomes but was not detected in the plasma membrane. Also, inactivation of the lmpA gene in wild-type strains resulted in defects in macropinocytosis and fluid phase efflux but not in phagocytosis. These results suggest an important role for profilin in regulating the internalization of fluid and particles and the movement of material along the endosomal pathway; they also demonstrate a functional interaction between profilin and DdLIMP that may connect phosphoinositide-based signaling through the actin cytoskeleton with endolysosomal membrane trafficking events.

Drainin required for membrane fusion of the contractile vacuole in Dictyostelium is the prototype of a protein family also represented in man

The contractile vacuole expels water by forming a channel with the plasma membrane and thus enables cells to survive in a hypo-osmotic environment. Here we characterize drainin, a Dictyostelium protein involved in this process, as the first member of a protein family represented in fission yeast, Caenorhabditis elegans and man. Gene replacement in Dictyostelium shows that drainin acts at a checkpoint of channel formation between the contractile vacuole and the plasma membrane. A green fluorescent protein fusion of drainin localizes specifically to the contractile vacuole and rescues its periodic discharge in drainin-null cells. Drainin is a peripheral membrane protein, requiring a short hydrophobic stretch in its C-terminal region for localization and function. We suggest that drainin acts in a signaling cascade that couples a volume-sensing device in the vacuolar membrane to the membrane fusion machinery.

RacF1, a novel member of the Rho protein family in Dictyostelium discoideum, associates transiently with cell contact areas, macropinosomes, and phagosomes

Using a PCR approach we have isolated racF1, a novel member of the Rho family in Dictyostelium. The racF1 gene encodes a protein of 193 amino acids and is constitutively expressed throughout the Dictyostelium life cycle. Highest identity (94%) was found to a RacF2 isoform, to Dictyostelium Rac1A, Rac1B, and Rac1C (70%), and to Rac proteins of animal species (64-69%). To investigate the role of RacF1 in cytoskeleton-dependent processes, we have fused it at its amino-terminus with green fluorescent protein (GFP) and studied the dynamics of subcellular redistribution using a confocal laser scanning microscope and a double-view microscope system. GFP-RacF1 was homogeneously distributed in the cytosol and accumulated at the plasma membrane, especially at regions of transient intercellular contacts. GFP-RacF1 also localized transiently to macropinosomes and phagocytic cups and was gradually released within <1 min after formation of the endocytic vesicle or the phagosome, respectively. On stimulation with cAMP, no enrichment of GFP-RacF1 was observed in leading fronts, from which it was found to be initially excluded. Cell lines were obtained using homologous recombination that expressed a truncated racF1 gene lacking sequences encoding the carboxyl-terminal region responsible for membrane targeting. These cells displayed normal phagocytosis, endocytosis, and exocytosis rates. Our results suggest that RacF1 associates with dynamic structures that are formed during pinocytosis and phagocytosis. Although RacF1 appears not to be essential, it might act in concert and/or share functions with other members of the Rho family in the regulation of a subset of cytoskeletal rearrangements that are required for these processes.

In vitro reconstituted Dictyostelium discoideum early endosome fusion is regulated by Rab7 but proceeds in the absence of ATP-Mg2+ from the bulk solution

We characterized the in vitro fusion of endosomal compartments from Dictyostelium discoideum. Fusion activity was restricted to early compartments, was dependent on cytosolic proteins, and was activated by GTP and guanosine 5'-O(3-thio)triphosphate (GTPgammaS). This stimulation suggests the involvement of a small G protein, which we propose to be Rab7 on the basis of the strong inhibitory effect of anti-Rab7 antibodies. It is noteworthy that in the presence of GTPgammaS, the concentration of ATP-Mg2+ could be reduced to less than 1 nM without loss of fusion activity. Under these conditions, competing residual ATP with adenosine 5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate-Mg2+ also failed to inhibit endosome fusion. The presence of an ATP-depleting system alone blocked fusion probably because endogenous GTP was removed by coupling through NDP kinase. Moreover, whether ATP was present or not, GTPgammaS-activated fusion was equally sensitive to anti-Rab7 antibodies or N-ethylmaleimide and was restricted to early compartments. These results show that soluble ATP-Mg2+ is not needed for endosome fusion. Since homotypic fusion of endosomes in D. discoideum has been shown to depend on the ATPase N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (Lenhard, J. M., Mayorga, L. , and Stahl, P. D. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 1896-1903), the nucleotide exchange on the N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor must take place before GTPgammaS activation in this system.

Targeted gene disruption reveals a role for vacuolin B in the late endocytic pathway and exocytosis

Cells of Dictyostelium discoideum take up fluid by macropinocytosis. The contents of macropinosomes are acidified and digested by lysosomal enzymes. Thereafter, an endocytic marker progresses in an F-actin dependent mechanism from the acidic lysosomal phase to a neutral post-lysosomal phase. From the post-lysosomal compartment indigestible remnants are released by exocytosis. This compartment is characterised by two isoforms of vacuolin, A and B, which are encoded by different genes. Fusions of the vacuolin isoforms to the green fluorescent protein associate with the cytoplasmic side of post-lysosomal vacuoles in vivo. Vacuolin isoforms also localise to patches at the plasma membrane. Since vacuolins have no homologies to known proteins and do not contain domains of obvious function, we investigated their role by knocking out the genes separately. Although the sequences of vacuolins A and B are about 80% identical, only deletion of the vacuolin B gene results in a defect in the endocytic pathway; the vacuolin A knock-out appeared to be phenotypically normal. In vacuolin B- mutants endocytosis is normal, but the progression of fluid-phase marker from acidic to neutral pH is impaired. Furthermore, in the mutants post-lysosomal vacuoles are dramatically increased in size and accumulate endocytic marker, suggesting a role for vacuolin B in targeting the vacuole for exocytosis.

Evidence for a recycling role for Rab7 in regulating a late step in endocytosis and in retention of lysosomal enzymes in Dictyostelium discoideum

The mammalian small molecular weight GTPase Rab7 (Ypt7 in yeast) has been implicated in regulating membrane traffic at postinternalization steps along the endosomal pathway. A cDNA encoding a protein 85% identical at the amino acid level to mammalian Rab7 has been cloned from Dictyostelium discoideum. Subcellular fractionation and immunofluorescence microscopy indicated that Rab7 was enriched in lysosomes, postlysosomes, and maturing phagosomes. Cell lines were generated that overexposed Rab7 wild-type (WT), Rab7 Q67L (constitutively active form), and Rab7 T22N (dominant negative form) proteins. The Rab7 T22N cell line internalized fluid phase markers and latex beads (phagocytosis) at one-third the rate of control cells, whereas Rab7 WT and Rab7 Q67L cell lines were normal in uptake rates but exocytosed fluid phase faster than control cells. In contrast, fluid phase markers resided in acidic compartments for longer periods of time and were more slowly exocytosed from Rab7 T22N cells as compared with control cells. Light microscopy indicated that Rab7-expressing cell lines contained morphologically altered endosomal compartments. Compared with control cells, Rab7 WT- and Rab7 Q67L-expressing cells contained a reduced number of vesicles, the size of postlysosomes (> 2.5 microns) and an increased number of smaller vesicles, many of which were nonacidic; in control cells, > 90% of the smaller vesicles were acidic. In contrast, Rab7 T22N cells contained an increased proportion of large acidic vesicles relative to nonacidic vesicles. Radiolabel pulse-chase experiments indicated that all of the cell lines processed and targeted lysosomal alpha-mannosidase normally, indicating the lack of a significant role for Rab7 in the targeting pathway; however, retention of mature lysosomal hydrolases was affected in Rab7 WT and Rab7 T22N cell lines. Contrary to the results observed for the fluid phase efflux experiments, Rab7 T22N cells oversecreted alpha-mannosidase, whereas Rab7 WT cells retained this hydrolase as compared with control cells. These data support a model that Rab7 may regulate retrograde transport of lysosomal enzymes and the V-type H(+)-ATPase from postlysosomes to lysosomes coupled with the efficient release of fluid phase from cells.

Late events in the intracellular sorting of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules are regulated by the 80-82 segment of the class II beta chain

The molecular mechanisms that regulate sorting of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules into the endocytic pathway are poorly understood. For many proteins, access to endosomal compartments is regulated by cytosolically expressed sequences. We present evidence that a sequence in the lumenal domain of the MHC class II molecule regulates a very late event in class II biogenesis. Class II molecules containing single amino acid changes in the highly conserved 80-82 region of the beta chain were introduced into invariant chain (Ii)-negative fibroblasts with wild-type alpha chain, and the derived transfectants were analyzed biochemically. Using an endosomal isolation technique, we have quantified the level of class II molecules expressed in endocytic compartments and found that in the absence of Ii, approximately 15% of total cellular class II molecules can be isolated from endosomal compartments. Mutation at position 80 enhances this localization, while changes at positions 81 and 82 ablate class II expression in endosomal compartments. In addition, we have evaluated whether the induced changes in intracellular distribution of class II molecules were due to alterations in early biosynthetic events, indicative of misfolding of the molecules, or to modulation of later trafficking events more likely to be a consequence of the modulation of a specific transport event. Despite the dramatic effects on endosomal localization induced by the mutations, early biosynthetic events and maturation of class II were unaffected by the mutations. Collectively, our data argue that late trafficking events that control the ability of the class II molecule to access antigens is regulated by the 80-82 segment of the MHC class II beta chains.

Inactivation of two Dictyostelium discoideum genes, DdPIK1 and DdPIK2, encoding proteins related to mammalian phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases, results in defects in endocytosis, lysosome to postlysosome transport, and actin cytoskeleton organization

Phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases (PI3-kinases) have been implicated in controlling cell proliferation, actin cytoskeleton organization, and the regulation of vesicle trafficking between intracellular organelles. There are at least three genes in Dictyostelium discoideum. DdPIK1, DdPIK2, and DdPIK3, encoding proteins most closely related to the mammalian 110-kD PI-3 kinase in amino acid sequence within the kinase domain. A mutant disrupted in DdPIK1 and DdPIK2 (delta ddpik1/ddpik2) grows slowly in liquid medium. Using FITC-dextran (FD) as a fluid phase marker, we determined that the mutant strain was impaired in pinocytosis but normal in phagocytosis of beads or bacteria. Microscopic and biochemical approaches indicated that the transport rate of fluid-phase from acidic lysosomes to non-acidic postlysosomal vacuoles was reduced in mutant cells resulting in a reduction in efflux of fluid phase. Mutant cells were also almost completely devoid of large postlysosomal vacuoles as determined by transmission EM. However, delta ddpik1/ddpik2 cells functioned normally in the regulation of other membrane traffic. For instance, radiolabel pulse-chase experiments indicated that the transport rates along the secretory pathway and the sorting efficiency of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-mannosidase were normal in the mutant strain. Furthermore, the contractile vacuole network of membranes (probably connected to the endosomal pathway by membrane traffic) was functionally and morphologically normal in mutant cells. Light microscopy revealed that delta ddpik1/ddpik2 cells appeared smaller and more irregularly shaped than wild-type cells; 1-3% of the mutant cells were also connected by a thin cytoplasmic bridge. Scanning EM indicated that the mutant cells contained numerous filopodia projecting laterally and vertically from the cell surface, and fluorescent microscopy indicated that these filopodia were enriched in F-actin which accumulated in a cortical pattern in control cells. Finally, delta ddpik1/ddpik2 cells responded and moved more rapidly towards cAMP. Together, these results suggest that Dictyostelium DdPIK1 and DdPIK2 gene products regulate multiple steps in the endosomal pathway, and function in the regulation of cell shape and movement perhaps through changes in actin organization.

Coronin and vacuolin identify consecutive stages of a late, actin-coated endocytic compartment in Dictyostelium

Cells of the unicellular eukaryote Dictyostelium discoideum take up all their nutrients by endocytosis. Both particle- and fluid-containing vacuoles are transiently surrounded by a cytoskeletal coat [1] [2]. When this coat has dissociated, acidification and digestion of the vesicle contents occur, followed by exocytosis of the indigestible remnants after 60-90 minutes. At least nine compartments are needed for mathematical modelling of endocytic transit [3], suggesting that markers associate for only a few minutes with a specific endocytic compartment. Among the proteins that have been identified as components of endocytic vesicles are actin, subunits of the V-H+ ATPase and small GTP-binding proteins of the Rab family [4] [5] [6] [7]. Using a monoclonal antibody produced against Dictyostelium endocytic vesicles, we have isolated a cDNA corresponding to a novel protein that we have named vacuolin. In order to determine the precise step along the endocytic pathway that involves vacuolin, we generated a fusion protein of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and vacuolin. GFP-vacuolin-decorated vesicles were identified as a post-lysosomal compartment that acquires endocytic markers shortly before exocytosis. At earlier stages, this post-lysosomal compartment was identified by the binding of a tagged cytoskeletal protein, coronin-GFP. Vacuoles were coated with filamentous actin along the entire post-lysosomal pathway, and the integrity of the actin coat was required for exocytosis.

The cysteine proteinase gene cprG in Dictyostelium discoideum has a serine-rich domain that contains GlcNAc-1-P

A lysosomal cysteine proteinase called proteinase-1 is the major proteolytic enzyme in vegetative cells of Dictyostelium discoideum. This phosphoglycosylated protein contains multiple residues of GlcNAc-1-P linked to peptidyl serines. Here we report the cloning, structure, and expression of its cDNA (cprG). Another cDNA (cprF) closely related to cprG was also cloned and characterized. mRNAs of both genes are present during the vegetative phase and decrease in developing cells. However, the level of cprG mRNA is about 100-fold higher than that of cprF. The predicted protein products of both genes contain a unique serine-rich domain that was previously found only in two Dictyostelium proteinases (CP4 and CP5) that also carry a GlcNAc-1-P-Ser modification. The cprG product, renamed CP7, was tagged with the FLAG-epitope (FLAG-CP7) and shown to bind to cystatin, a highly specific inhibitor of cysteine proteinases. The FLAG-CP7 product also contained both N-linked oligosaccharides and GlcNAc-1-P. Deletion of the serine-rich domain from FLAG-CP7 yields a product that still binds to cystatin, but no longer carries GlcNAc-1-P. This finding supports the idea that the GlcNAc-1-P residues are normally added to the serine-rich domain, found only in vegetative Dictyostelium cysteine proteinases.

Fluid-phase uptake by macropinocytosis in Dictyostelium

To study fluid-phase endocytosis in living cells and its relationship to changes in the cell cortex, we have used a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged version of coronin, an actin-associated protein that localises to dynamic regions of the Dictyostelium cell cortex. In the confocal microscope, internalisation of fluorescently labelled dextran as a fluid-phase marker can be recorded simultaneously with the recruitment of the coronin-GFP fusion-protein from the cytoplasm of the phagocyte. At crown-shaped surface protrusions, extracellular medium is taken up into vesicles with an average diameter of 1.6 microns, which is significantly larger than the 0.1 microns diameter of clathrin-coated pinosomes. The observed frequency of macropinosome formation can account for a large portion, if not all, of the fluid-phase uptake. The redistribution of coronin-GFP strongly resembles cytoskeletal rearrangements during phagocytosis. Scanning-electron micrographs indicate that crown-shaped cell-surface extensions can undergo shape changes, without a particle bound, that are similar to shape changes that occur during phagocytosis. In quantitative assays, the uptake of particles and fluid are about equally dependent on F-actin and coronin.

A role for a Rab4-like GTPase in endocytosis and in regulation of contractile vacuole structure and function in Dictyostelium discoideum

The small Mr Rab4-like GTPase, RabD, localizes to the endosomal pathway and the contractile vacuole membrane system in Dictyostelium discoideum. Stably transformed cell lines overexpressing a dominant negative functioning RabD internalized fluid phase marker at 50% of the rate of wild-type cells. Mutant cells were also slower at recycling internalized fluid. Microscopic and biochemical approaches indicated that the transport of fluid to large postlysosome vacuoles was delayed in mutant cells, resulting in an accumulation in acidic smaller vesicles, probably lysosomes. Also, RabD N121I-expressing cell lines missorted a small but significant percentage of newly synthesized lysosomal alpha-mannosidase precursor polypeptides. However, the majority of the newly synthesized alpha-mannosidase was transported with normal kinetics and correctly delivered to lysosomes. Subcellular fractionation and immunofluorescent microscopy indicated that in mutant cells contractile vacuole membrane proteins were associated with compartments morphologically distinct from the normal reticular network. Osmotic tests revealed that the contractile vacuole functioned inefficiently in mutant cells. Our results suggest that RabD regulates membrane traffic along the endosomal pathway, and that this GTPase may play a role in regulating the structure and function of the contractile vacuole system by facilitating communication with the endosomal pathway.

Involvement of the vacuolar proton-translocating ATPase in multiple steps of the endo-lysosomal system and in the contractile vacuole system of Dictyostelium discoideum

We have investigated the effects of Concanamycin A (CMA), a specific inhibitor of vacuolar type H(+)-ATPases, on acidification and function of the endo-lysosomal and contractile vacuole (CV) systems of D. discoideum. This drug inhibited acidification and increased the pH of endo-lysosomal vesicles both in vivo and in vitro in a dose dependent manner. Treatment also inhibited endocytosis and exocytosis of fluid phase, and phagocytosis of latex beads. This report also confirms our previous conclusions (Cardelli et al. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 3454–3463) that maintenance of acidic pH in lumenal compartments is required for efficient processing and targeting of a lysosomal enzyme, alpha-mannosidase. CMA treatment compromised the function of the contractile vacuole complex as amoebae exposed to a hypo-osmotic environment in the presence of CMA, swelled rapidly and ruptured. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that CMA treatment induced gross morphological changes in D. discoideum cells, characterized by the formation of large intracellular vacuoles containing fluid phase. The reticular membranes of the CV system were also no longer as apparent in drug treated cells. Finally, this is the first report describing cells that can adapt in the presence of CMA; in nutrient medium, D. discoideum overcame the effects of CMA after one hour of drug treatment even in the absence of protein synthesis. Upon adaptation to CMA, normal sized endo-lysosomal vesicles reappeared, endo-lysosomal pH decreased, and the rate of endocytosis, exocytosis and phagocytosis returned to normal. This study demonstrates that the V-H(+)-ATPase plays an important role in maintaining the integrity and function of the endo-lysosomal and CV systems and that D. discoideum can compensate for the loss of a functional V-H(+)-ATPase.

Dictyostelium mutants lacking multiple classic myosin I isoforms reveal combinations of shared and distinct functions

Dictyostelium cells that lack the myoB isoform were previously shown to exhibit reduced efficiencies of phagocytosis and chemotactic aggregation ("streaming") and to crawl at about half the speed of wild-type cells. Of the four other Dictyostelium myosin I isoforms identified to date, myoC and myoD are the most similar to myoB in terms of tail domain sequence. Furthermore, we show here that myoC, like myoB and myoD, is concentrated in actin-rich cortical regions like the leading edge of migrating cells. To look for evidence of functional overlap between these isoforms, we analyzed myoB, myoC, and myoD single mutants, myoB/myoD double mutants, and myoB/myoC/myoD triple mutants, which were created using a combination of gene targeting techniques and constitutive expression of antisense RNA. With regard to the speed of locomoting, aggregation-stage cells, of the three single mutants, only the myoB mutant was significantly slower. Moreover, double and triple mutants were only slightly slower than the myoB single mutant. Consistent with this, the protein level of myoB alone rises dramatically during early development, suggesting that a special demand is placed on this one isoform when cells become highly motile. We also found, however, that the absolute amount of myoB protein in aggregation-stage cells is much higher than that for myoC and myoD, suggesting that what appears to be a case of nonoverlapping function could be the result of large differences in the amounts of functionally overlapping isoforms. Streaming assays also suggest that myoC plays a significant role in some aspect of motility other than cell speed. With regard to phagocytosis, both myoB and myoC single mutants exhibited significant reductions in initial rate, suggesting that these two isoforms perform nonredundant roles in supporting the phagocytic process. In triple mutants these defects were not additive, however. Finally, because double and triple mutants exhibited significant and progressive decreases in doubling times, we also measured the kinetics of fluid phase endocytic flux (uptake, transit time, efflux). Not only do all three isoforms contribute to this process, but their contributions are synergistic. While these results, when taken together, refute the simple notion that these three "classic" myosin I isoforms perform exclusively identical functions, they do reveal that all three share in supporting at least one cellular process (endocytosis), and they identify several other processes (motility, streaming, and phagocytosis) that are supported to a significant extent by either individual isoforms or various combinations of them.

Examination of the endosomal and lysosomal pathways in Dictyostelium discoideum myosin I mutants

The role of myosin Is in endosomal trafficking and the lysosomal system was investigated in a Dictyostelium discoideum myosin I double mutant myoB-/C-, that has been previously shown to exhibit defects in fluid-phase endocytosis during growth in suspension culture (Novak et al., 1995). Various properties of the endosomal pathway in the myoB-/C- double mutant as well as in the myoB- and myoC- single mutants, including intravesicular pH, and intracellular retention time and exocytosis of a fluid phase marker, were found to be indistinguishable from wild-type parental cells. The intimate connection between the contractile vacuole complex and the endocytic pathway in Dictyostelium, and the localization of a myosin I to the contractile vacuole in Acanthamoeba, led us to also examine the structure and function of this organelle in the three myosin I mutants. No alteration in contractile vacuole structure or function was observed in the myoB-, myoC- or myoB-/C- cell lines. The transport, processing, and localization of a lysosomal enzyme, alpha-mannosidase, were also unaltered in all three mutants. However, the myoB- and myoB-/C- cell lines, but not the myoC- cell line, were found to oversecrete the lysosomal enzymes alpha-mannosidase and acid phosphatase, during growth and starvation. None of the mutants oversecreted proteins following the constitutive secretory pathway. Two additional myosin I mutants, myoA- and myoA-/B-, were also found to oversecrete the lysosomally localized enzymes alpha-mannosidase and acid phosphatase. Taken together, these results suggest that these myosins do not play a role in the intracellular movement of vesicles, but that they may participate in controlling events that occur at the actin-rich cortical region of the cell. While no direct evidence has been found for the association of myosin Is with lysosomes, we predict that the integrity of the lysosomal system is tied to the fidelity of the actin cortex, and changes in cortical organization could influence lysosomal-related membrane events such as internalization or transit of vesicles to the cell surface.

Coronin involved in phagocytosis: dynamics of particle-induced relocalization visualized by a green fluorescent protein Tag

Coronin is a protein involved in cell locomotion and cytokinesis of Dictyostelium discoideum. Here we show that coronin is strongly enriched in phagocytic cups formed in response to particle attachment. A fusion of coronin with green fluorescent protein (GFP) accumulates in the cups within less than 1 min upon attachment of a particle and is gradually released from the phagosome within 1 min after engulfment is completed. Phagocytic cup formation competes with leading edge formation and can be interrupted at any stage. When the cup regresses, coronin dissociates from the site of accumulation. TRITC-labeled yeast cells have been used to assay phagocytosis quantitatively in wild-type and coronin-null cells. In the mutant, the rate of uptake is reduced to about one third, which shows that coronin contributes to the efficiency of phagocytosis to about the same extent as it improves the speed of cell locomotion.

Identification of major proteins associated with Dictyostelium discoideum endocytic vesicles

Magnetic isolation of endocytic vesicles from Dictyostelium discoideum was accomplished after feeding the amoebae with iron oxide particles. Proteins associated with the endocytic vesicles were resolved by SDS-PAGE and digested ‘in-gel’ with endoproteinase Lys-C or Asp-N to generate peptides for amino acid sequencing. This strategy allowed the identification of the major protein constituents of the vesicles: namely, the A, B, D, E and 110 kDa subunits of a vacuolar type H(+)-ATPase, actin, a Rab 7-like GTPase, a p34 protein corresponding to a new cysteine proteinase and the 25 kDa product of a recently sequenced D. discoideum open reading frame.